Derwent hang on to unbeaten start

With five minutes remaining, Derwent were facing their first league defeat of the season, trailing an organised and impressive Nuneaton side 2-1.

Derwent had taken the lead through Steve Langrick, only to concede two goals in quick succession. After the demolition job on Leciester Thursday last Saturday, Derwent were finding it hard to build any sort of tempo or rhythm, against a well-drilled Nuneaton.

However, Derwent found a spark through Ben Everitt-Li, who smashed the ball under the keeper after a well worked corner.

That would be the last part Everitt-Li would play in the game as he was subsequently sin binned for an innocuous looking challenge.

Down to ten men and with seconds to go, a long ball was played up to debutant Jake Cooke. He held the ball up the ball for the galloping Steve Langrick, whose mazy run in the area was ended by a mistimed tackle, which earned Derwent a penalty corner.

Even though the final whistle went, the corner had to be played.

Up stepped Tom Ellison, and his low drag flick powered into the bottom left of the goal to see Derwent complete a smash and grab win.

Coach Heath Roberts was understandably relieved. “It was one of those games were we didn’t play well at any point during the game. But to the players, great credit, they worked incredibly hard, and it was that work ethic which got us the full three points today.”

Derwent also played in the second round of the England Hockey Vase at the weekend, putting 11 past Kettering, with no reply.

Steve Langrick was man of the match, bagging four of the goals.

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